HFIP as a versatile solvent in resorcin[ <i>n</i> ]arene synthesis

Herein, we present 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as an efficient solvent for synthesizing resorcin[<i>n</i>]arenes in the presence of catalytic amounts of HCl at ambient temperature and within minutes. Remarkably, resorcinols with electron-withdrawing groups and halogens, which are reported in the literature as the most challenging precursors in this cyclization, are tolerated. This method leads to a variety of 2-substituted resorcin[<i>n</i>]arenes in a single synthetic step with isolated yields up to 98%.